Green Gables Wedding
Garden-party weddings have such a special charm, and Courtney and Chris's spring wedding at Green Gables was the perfect example of why. With lush greenery, string lights, and a genuinely fun and relaxed atmosphere, this April wedding had all the romance of a garden celebration with a playful energy that made the whole day feel effortless.
First Look and Private Vows
Courtney and Chris started their day with a first look followed by private vows — my favorite combination for any wedding. There is something so special about that quiet, intimate moment of seeing each other for the first time, immediately followed by reading vows just the two of them. It gives couples a private, unscripted space to feel everything before the day gets busy with family, friends, and celebration. Capturing that moment for Courtney and Chris was one of my favorite parts of their entire day.
A Ceremony Under the Trees
Green Gables' ceremony site sits along the side of the house under a canopy of trees, and it might be one of the most naturally beautiful ceremony spots I have photographed. The dappled light filtering through the branches gave every frame such a soft, romantic quality, and with around 100 to 120 guests gathered beneath the trees, the setting felt intimate despite the size of the celebration.
Everything in One Place
One of the things I love most about Green Gables as a venue is how close everything is. The girls' getting ready room, the guys' getting ready room, the ceremony site, and the reception space are all within easy reach of each other. For a wedding day, this is huge — less time spent traveling between locations means more time actually being present in the moments that matter, and it makes for a day that flows smoothly from start to finish.
A Garden Party Reception
The reception was held outdoors under a white tent strung with twinkling lights, and it captured that garden-party feeling perfectly — elegant but relaxed, romantic but full of life. As the sun went down and the string lights took over, the whole space transformed into something straight out of a dream.
And then there was the mini golf course. Courtney and Chris set up a small mini golf course during cocktail hour for their guests to play, and it was honestly one of the most fun and memorable details I have seen at a wedding. Guests were laughing, competing, and completely relaxed before the reception even started — it set the tone for the entire night and gave me some of the most candid, joy-filled photos of the whole day.
Why I Love Shooting at Green Gables
Green Gables has this rare ability to feel both elegant and completely unpretentious at the same time. The natural greenery, the tree-covered ceremony site, and the flexibility of the reception space under the tent make it such a versatile venue for any couple's vision — whether you're going for romantic and timeless or fun and playful, like Courtney and Chris did with their mini golf surprise.
If you are planning a garden-party style wedding in San Diego, Green Gables deserves a serious look.
Planning Your Green Gables Wedding?
I would love to be your photographer. I specialize in candid, genuine wedding photography across San Diego, Temecula, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and throughout Southern California — whether your day is elegant and traditional or full of fun, personal touches like a mini golf course at cocktail hour. Let's connect and start talking about your wedding day.
[Inquire here → seagravephotography.com/contact]